Paul
Senior Member
- Thread Author
- #21
The Devore O/96 was one of speakers I always wanted to listen but we only had one dealer who carries the line located at 5 hours away from my house so it wasn’t easy for me to spend the whole day to audition one speaker brand.
However couple of months ago I heard the news they will be a display at the TAVES and I was hoping to hear the O/96 but the dealer only brought the O/93 and the room was full of crowd…. I tried to come back couples of times but since they only brought two chairs and both times it was already occupied.
Luckily few days ago I heard the one store in Hamilton just start to carry the Devore lines so I did contact the owner and finally had a chance to hear them today. Thank you to Chad who is owner of store we talked over email and he asked about my room size also what kind gears he should prepare for me to listen.
The store is located at one and half hour away from where I live so on the way I grabbed the BLT sandwich with big Tim Hortons coffee with me ( Mike ~~Timmys !!
) I walked in to the show room and I couldn’t believe how small the size of speakers was. I was expecting about the same size as my PMC IB2i but it was much smaller. Actually they looked so cute to my eyes :happy:
The speaker is beautifully made—more like a fine musical instrument than a pair of mass-production speakers .
I loved the fit and finish also the contrast on color was beautiful to look at.
Chad warmed up the system with nice tube gears (Atma-Sphere 140 Watts) with Allnic tube pre amplifier ( They looks so cool )
First CD was Stacy Kent’s Dreamsville – Her voice was so sweet on O/96 I cannot say if it as sweet as Harbeth but it was very close but the O/96 was more neutral voice tone.
However the voice wasn’t centre imaged so I asked to Chad to toe in more. Yes that was it. This speakers need to toe in about the 25 degree to get centre imaged.
I really LOVED this paper woofer.
After hearing few songs with Stacy’s sweet voice I put another CD that contains few classical recordings.
The sound stage was very wide and it threw the deep bass as well. ( I was little worried because due to size of speakers the tweeter was located way lower than my ears)
When the big orchestra plays I noticed the few times with some distortions but not sure if it was anything to do with gears.
Now we played my favorite music Jazz....Yes... Jazz. I listened Miles Davis, Bill Evans,Cliff Brown and etc ( 50~70's ) ...And this speakers was spectacular on this genre of music. The separation and sound stage was wonderful and it really sounds excels on mono recording as well. I was almost wanted take that speakers with me.
The O/96 wasn't quite as detailed on high nor deep bottom end as my VA Klimt the MUSIC Speakers or PMC IB2i but it was very smooth and romantic speakers
Also threw a deep, wide sound stage, with exceptionally good distinctions between the sizes of different sounds,
If you are looking for dynamics, more bass slam and greater treble extension – if that's what you're after – You may look elsewhere.
This speaker is not for those audiophiles who seek hot, sizzly, hyperdetailed, bass-heavy, knock-your-socks-off sound.
It's made for people who like music who wants to listen to music all day without the fatigue and anything you throw in they do sounds like analogue and sweet now I totally understands why most of Devore owners are listen to Jazz. It was best Jazz listening session I had for a long time….
My 3 hours of driving was worth it . Thanks to Devore and Chad . Big thumbs up ~!
P.S: I'm not good at this kind of thing so hope you guys understand. Thanks
